October 2006/45
Core funding/operations
Report on review and next steps
Actions for institutions are given in paragraphs 5 and 6
Review of the Quality Assurance Framework
Phase two outcomes
This document sets out the outcomes of phase two of the review of the Quality Assurance Framework for learning and teaching in higher education. It includes recommendations and plans to improve the Teaching Quality Information and National Student Survey initiatives. These have been endorsed by HEFCE, Universities UK and GuildHE, the sponsoring bodies of the review.
Four research reports informed the work of the Quality Assurance Framework Review Group. See Related research below.
| To: | To Heads of HEFCE-funded higher education institutions Heads of HEFCE-funded further education colleges Heads of universities in Northern Ireland |
| Of interest to those responsible for: | Learning and teaching; Quality assurance; Information management |
| Reference: | 2006/45 |
| Publication date: | October 2006 |
| Enquiries to: | At HEFCE At GuildHE At Universities UK |
Executive summary (read on-line)
Related research
- Teaching Quality Information web-site: qualitative user evaluation (Ipsos MORI and the Open University)
- Impact of the Teaching Quality Information initiative on higher education institutions (Alan Brickwood & Associates)
- Needs of employers and related organisations for information about quality and standards of higher education (University of Sussex)
- Review of aspects of Teaching Quality Information in England (Quality Assurance Agency)
Executive summary
Purpose
1. This document sets out the outcomes of phase two of the review of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). It includes recommendations and plans to change and improve the Teaching Quality Information (TQI) and National Student Survey (NSS) initiatives.
Key points
2. The QAF Review Group has completed its evaluation of TQI and the NSS. The group concluded that these initiatives can make a valuable contribution to student choice, but that a number of improvements are needed to ensure they achieve this objective. In particular, the group recommended re-focusing the TQI site on the needs of applicants and their advisers, and removing from the site the qualitative materials currently provided by institutions.
3. The sponsoring bodies fully endorse the recommendations, and plan to relaunch the TQI site in summer 2007, in line with the group's recommendations.
4. In paragraphs 7-24 we describe the background to the review, how HEFCE proposes to implement the recommendations, and the implications for institutions. This is followed by the review group's full report.
Action required
5. Higher education institutions (HEIs):
- Are not expected to publish any further qualitative information - that is, summaries of external examiners' reports, summaries of learning and teaching strategies, summaries of periodic reviews and summary descriptions of employer links - on the TQI site.
- Should make any adjustments to existing qualitative materials published on the site by December 2006, as it will not be possible to edit them after this time.
- Should prepare to share external examiners' reports as a matter of course with the institution's student representatives, for example through staff-student committees.
- Should review the information they make publicly available, in the light of the removal of qualitative information from the TQI web-site. This should include consideration of Annex F of this document.
- In parallel with this report, HEFCE has issued Circular letter 23/2006 'Development of TQI and the NSS'. Both HEIs and further education colleges are asked to consider and respond to the detailed proposals and plans in that letter.